Estrada’s libel pre-trial at VMMC?

A member of the Sandiganbayan special division suggested yesterday that the pre-trial of the P40-million libel case filed by former President Joseph Estrada against AFP intelligence chief Victor Corpuz be held at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where the former leader is being detained.

Associate Justice Edilberto Sandoval made the suggestion after Estrada’s lawyer, Cleofe Verzola, insisted in open court that it was necessary for Estrada to attend the pre-trial conference of the libel case at the sala of Pasig Regional Trial Court Judge Amelia Fabros.

However, the prosecution panel, headed by Special Prosecutor Leonardo Tamayo, opposed the motion, saying the mobilization of the police personnel for his security will only "unnecessarily impose on the government a heavy expense."

"The accused former President has in fact acknowledged the necessary expense during the course of his plea to be excused from appearing before this honorable court," Tamayo said.

He said Estrada can easily satisfy the order if the Pasig RTC by issuing a special power of attorney to any of his lawyers.

"Written authority to a representative as an alternative manner of satisfying the requirement of a court appearance is more practical and has been the convention in attending a pre-trial in this jurisdiction, as rarely do the parties themselves accompany their counsel in court for pre-trial purposes," Tamayo said.

Sandoval pointed out that when he was still a judge, "a pre-trial would be held in Muntinlupa or where a respondent is detained. Can’t this be done at the VMMC?" – Jose Rodel Clapano